Friday night sees the Los Angeles Lakers heading to their “motherland” for a Game 3 matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The once “Minneapolis” Lakers quickly quieted doubters with a strong showing at home in Game 2, locking this series at 1-1 and putting extra emphasis on Friday’s contest.
LeBron James has logged more playoff minutes than anyone in history, and my Lakers vs. Timberwolves predictions like LeBron to rise up for L.A. on the road.
Here are my best NBA picks for April 25.
Who will win Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 3?
Oddsmakers have the T-Wolves set as short home favorites, with this Game 3 line teetering on a one-possession finish after the Lakers returned serve in Game 2.
The outright odds give Minnesota a 61% implied win probability, and I’m leaning toward the home side Friday.
Lakers vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet: LeBron James Over 22.5 points (-120 at bet365)
The Los Angeles Lakers' offense has not looked good in the first two games of this series. Outside of Luka Doncic doing his thing, the rest of the Lakers have struggled.
Taking Doncic out of the box scores, L.A. is shooting worse than 40% from the field, including a rough 14-for-52 from beyond the arc.
As for LeBron James, he hasn’t been horrible. But he hasn’t been great.
LeBron has posted scoring efforts of 19 and 21 points on a collective 16-for-37 shooting in the series (2-for-10 from distance). However, if anyone is going to step up for Los Angeles, it’s going to be 'The King'.
Moving this series to Minnesota is a massive speed bump for L.A.’s other contributors, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have already done a remarkable job erasing those role players. James and Doncic combined for 52 of the Lakers' 94 points in Game 2, and the lion’s share of the scoring will fall on their shoulders in Game 3.
“Me and Bron, (we’re) the leaders of the team, we got to keep the team together,” Doncic told the media after Tuesday’s win. “Like I said, going into Minnesota is going to be a war. The fans are going to be cheering like crazy. So, we can’t panic. We got to stay together.”
Game 3 is a vital contest in playoff basketball, and James has routinely risen to the challenge in those spots.
Even as a Laker, in the twilight of his storied career, James finds another gear in Game 3s. He averages more than 27 points in the third game of a postseason set in the Purple and Gold, including 26 points in 42 minutes versus Denver last year.
Early player projections for LeBron come in above the 22.5-point total, and some operators are hanging this Over/Under at 23.5 points. My forecast calls for just shy of 24 points from James, but I respect that the ceiling could be much higher if James and Doncic have to shoot close to 50 combined times.
Lakers vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
LeBron James Over 22.5 points
Austin Reaves 5+ assists
Timberwolves moneyline
It’s becoming clear that if the Lakers want to win this series, it will all fall on LeBron and Luka. Los Angeles is going to need 50-plus points from that dynamic duo.
With Luka and LeBron letting it rip, someone has to get them the ball. Although Austin Reaves’ shot isn’t going down, he can still impact the game with assists.
The Lakers' shooting woes at home will be compounded on the road with the series swinging to Minnesota, which boasted the sixth-best home-court defense in the NBA (110.4).
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Timberwolves odds
Lakers vs Timberwolves live odds
Lakers vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +3 (-110) | Minnesota -3 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +125 | Minnesota -150
- Over/Under: Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
• Following the Lakers’ win in Game 2, bookmakers opened the T-Wolves as 3-point home chalk, and that line has stayed put.
• The Over/Under total hit the market at 206.5 points after a low-scoring Game 2, and that number has since dropped to 205.5 O/U.
• According to Covers Consensus, 62% of picks are laying the points with Minnesota, while 66% of total picks are siding with the Over on Friday night.
Lakers vs Timberwolves trend
Minnesota has eclipsed its team total in 20 of its last 27 games at home (+12.00 Units / 39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Lakers vs Timberwolves
| Location | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date | Friday, 4-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Lakers vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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